Dogs that had lost the use of their back legs as a result of spinal injuries were able to walk again after a revolutionary transplant operation that might also benefit paralysed patients, scientists said.

The pet dogs had all suffered serious accidental damage to their spinal cords which had left them paralysed and unable to walk normally with their hind limbs.

Following the transplant of specialised cells from the dogs’ noses to the damaged nerves most of the pets recovered their lost mobility and some were able to walk and even run on all four legs, according to a study published today.